The Robert and Deborah Aliber Persian Gallery

Colossal bull head excavated by ISAC archaeologists at Persepolis, Iran.

On Display in the Persian Gallery

Painted bowl from the prehistoric site of Tall-e Bakun (ca. 4500–4200 BCE) (A20136).

On Display in the Persian Gallery

Frieze of striding lions from Persepolis, Iran (522–465 BCE) (A24068).

On Display in the Persian Gallery

Gold winged lion roundel from ancient Ecbatana, possibly dating to the reign of King Artaxerxes II (404–358 BCE) (A28582).

The Robert and Deborah Aliber Persian Gallery welcomes you to trace the development of cultures of ancient Iran while gazing upon a colossal bull head from Persepolis, a dynastic center of the Achaemenid Empire that stretched from Egypt to Pakistan. Highlights include painted ceramics from Chogha Mish and Tall-i-Bakun; limestone sculpture from Persepolis; a collection of Persian gold jewelry; and coins and ceramics from the early Islamic period.

The majority of the objects in this gallery were excavated by ISAC’s Persian Expedition (1931–39) at the sites of Persepolis, Tall-e Bakun, and Istakhr. Additional objects were excavated by ISAC’s Chogha Mish Expedition (1961–78).